As the year wraps up, another senior class graduates and another freshman class arrives. This time, the newcomers are the Class of ‘25. They will be taking the place of the Class of ‘21, along with their purple class color. In order to prepare for the new class, NDB’s Ambassador Board and Link Crew have organized multiple events, ranging from spring to fall to welcome the students.

A long-standing NDB tradition is the Welcome Dinner. Every incoming freshman and their parents are invited to eat dinner and meet their new classmates. Usually, the dinner would be held in the Moore Pavilion, with students playing ice-breakers and other games in the classrooms. However, this year the Welcome Dinner had to take a different form.

“We did a drive-through,” said Ambassador board member Christyn Refuerzo. “Cars came out through there [the parking lot] and there was a table where Clair [Sapilewski] and I, we were working on it together, and students would get their name and a bag with personalized goodies and stuff.”

In order to stay safe, dinner, and wine for the parents, were given to the students while they were in their cars. Rather than eat on campus, everyone took their food home. Although it was a little lonelier than in previous years, the future freshmen were still excited to see the campus.

“I was pretty surprised that a lot of people were happier,” added Refuerzo. “I think they’re happy to at least see us because before we would just drop it [goodies] at their house or do something online.”

Through the Welcome Dinner, incoming girls and their families had the opportunity to meet and talk to current NDB students, which added that personal touch that Zoom meetings cannot seem to have.
The next event planned is the freshmen orientation, which takes place during the fall. Typically, students will take a tour of the campus with members of Link Crew, and befriend members to have a friendly face for when classes start. Last year’s orientation was online, with girls sorted into breakout rooms to meet with others. It is unknown if orientation will take place in-person or online for the Class of ‘25, but students are hopeful that they can have the in-person experience.

The Class of ‘25 will be joining NDB as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed freshmen. It is a new place, a new journey, and a new experience for them all. For many, high school can be daunting and intimidating. However, as always, NBD and its community will be there to provide guidance and support.

When asked about the scariest part of high school, most students will say making friends. It is nerve-wracking, having to meet new people and it is not always easy. However, everyone has gone through the same circumstances and has survived.

“At NDB it’s easy to make friends,” finished Refuerzo. “[students can] make friends with their teachers and can make friends with every person because everyone just needs another friend.”